Salem Supports the Festivus 5K for Autism

Finz Seafood & Grill hosted the Festivus 5K for Autism road race Sunday, Dec. 13, helping the volunteers of Parents United of Salem raise over $15,000 for the Beverly based Northshore Education Consortium. Over the past four years, the race has raised nearly $50,000 for autism charities.

“Northshore Education Consortium is extremely grateful to be the recipients of the proceeds from this year’s Festivus 5K for Autism,” said Executive Director Francine H. Rosenberg, M.Ed. “The $15,000 will make a huge difference to our students, enabling us to purchase additional computers, tablets, and assistive communication devices for children and young adults on the autism spectrum. We were so impressed by the race organizers, Rick and Cindy Johnson, Parents United, George Carey of Finz Restaurant, New England Running Company, and all of the volunteers and sponsors who made this such a wonderful event.”

Peter Omae Ayieni, 37, of Lowell, was the men’s overall winner with a time of 16:28. Jess Ward, 40, of Lyman, Maine, was the women’s overall winner with a time of 20:10

This year’s race had 472 finishers. Runners, volunteers, and sponsors celebrated after the race with a Festivus-themed party at Finz. Race organizers gave awards for winning runners, best costumes, and top Festivus grievances.

Festivus is an alternative holiday celebration, made popular by the TV show “Seinfeld,” which includes a Festivus dinner, an unadorned aluminum Festivus pole, practices such as the Airing of Grievances and Feats of Strength, and the labeling of easily explainable events as “Festivus miracles.”

Many local businesses sponsored the road race, which always gives 100 percent of net proceeds to autism charities. This year’s sponsors included Finz Seafood & Grill, Salem Five, Dribbble, EBSCO Information Services, Pediatric Associates of Greater Salem, Eastern Bank, FirstLight HomeCare, North Shore Eye Care, The Triumph Center, JH Turiel & Associates, Inc., Berard Family Chiropractic, Marblehead Firefighters Local 2043, Beverly Athletic Club, Sherman’s Appliance & Refrigeration Service, Krav Maga: Ne’emanei Imi of Salem, Northshore Education Consortium Employees, The Schild Family, Andrew & Trista Christensen, Terence A. Criswell, DDS, Peabody Avis at the Northshore Mall, National Grand Bank, North Shore Road Race Guide, New England Running Company, and Creative Salem.

For more on the Festivus 5K for Autism, visit www.festivus5k.com.

Photo courtesy of John Andrews of Creative Salem